Film apparatus



y 23, 1940- r A. w. TONDREAU 2,202,127

FILM APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ALBEPT W END/e540 ATTYJR EY' May 28, 1940; A. w. TONDREAU FILM AFPARATUS 4 SheetsSheet 2 Filgd July 29, 1938 INVENTOR. ALBERT 14 75-47FAu Y ATTORNEY May 28, 1940- A. w. TONDREAU FILM APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

May 28, 1940. A. w. TONDREAU FILM APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIBJ Z- INVENTOR. ALBERT W 7Z7/VDEEAU ATTORNEY.

Patented May 28, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FILM APPARATUS Application July 29, 1938, Serial No. 221,955

3 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for treating elongated photographic film, such as motion picture film, and has particular referencev to means for facilitating the control and supervision of film treating apparatus during the traverse of film therethrough.

After photographic film is exposed in a camera it is treated to render the latent image formed thereon visible and permanent. In modern motion picture film treating apparatus the film is continually passed in succession through various film treating units, each performing a different operation on the film. For example,

the film is first passed through a bath of developing solution to render the latent image thereon visible. It is then passed through a bath of fixing solution to render the developed image permanent, thence through a washing solution to wash the various chemicals from the film, thence through a drying apparatus to completely remove the moisture from the film before being stored on reels for future use in motion picture projecting apparatus.

The film, especially during the above mentioned treatment, is very susceptible to breakage, scratching, and other damage. In the continuous treatment of the film, breakage thereof in any one unit will cause an accumulation of the film in that unit with consequent damage to a considerable length of film. Furthermore, breakage of the film in a continuous film treating apparatus causes a tie-up of the whole apparatus and, in certain treating operations, i. e. developing, toning, etc. the stoppage of film therein would cause overdevelopment or overtoning of the film.

One object of the present invention is to indicate at a remote point the condition of a film treating apparatus,

Another object of the present invention is to indicate breakage of film in a film treating apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to automatically control a film treating apparatus in accordance with the condition of film passing therethrough.

specification read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a portion of a film treating apparatus embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of the film drying apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, including the control station.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the film drying apparatus, including the control station, and is taken in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the annunciator panel and is taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig, 5 is a diagrammatic circuit diagram of the annunciator and control system for the film treating apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the takeup reel drive and is taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an end view of a film breakage indicator switch.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the film breakage indicator switch shown in Fig. 7 and is taken in the direction of the arrow 8 of that figure.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the film accumulator including the upper and lower limit switches.

Fig. 10 is a front view of the film accumulator including upper and lower limit switches shown in Fig. 9, and is taken in the direction of the arrow III of that figure.

Fig, 11 is a sectional view of the lower portion of the film accumulator including the electromagnetic brake and is taken along the line |l--H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a detailed plan view of the electromagnetic brake shown in Fig. 11 and is taken along the line |2--l2 of that figure.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 the film 1 after first passing through film developing and fixing solutions (not shown) is passed through a bat tery of film washing tanks generally indicated at a, thence through a film accumulator generally indicated at b, and thence through a film drying apparatus generally indicated at c. On emerging from the film drying apparatus 0 the film ,f is stored on a take-up reel 9 situated at a control station generally indicated at d.

The film washing apparatus a comprises a plurality of separate washing tanks I0 to I6, inclusive, through which the film is continually passed. This apparatus may be of conventional construction and therefore it is not deemed necessary to illustratethe same in detail. The film guiding mechanism in each tank may, however, comprise upper and lower spool heads, as

shown by the dotted lines I! and I8, respectively, in the tank l6 over which the film is passed in a plurality of sinuous loops. The film f is passed from one wash tank to the next by driven sprockets 20, situated above each of the tanks ill to l6, inclusive. The lower spool head it is capable of vertical movement under the influence of gravity and is supported entirely by the loops of film f travelling therearound whereby the film is maintained in a taut condition during its traverse through the respective tanks. Each of the sprockets 20 is driven in a suitable manner (not shown) by a horizontal drive shaft 2|. Shaft 2| is driven through a gear box 23 and vertical shaft 22 by an electric motor 24. Motor 24 is suitably secured to the under surface of a floor I9.

The film I, after passing from the last film driving sprocket 20', of the washing apparatus a, is led under a guide spool 25 and thence over a film breakage indicator switch mechanism, generally indicated at 26, mounted on the film accumulator b.

Accumulator b comprises a rectangular frame 21, including a pair of spaced vertically extending guide posts or members 28 and 28. Posts 28 and 29 are secured in spaced relation with each other by upper and lower cross beams 36 and 3|, respectively. The upper beam 30 forms a stationary spool head on which is rotatably mounted a series of spaced film guiding spools 32. A lower spool head 33 is provided, also having a series of spaced film guiding spools 34 rotatably mounted thereon. Spool head 33 has pairs of guide rollers 35 and 36 rotatably mounted at either end thereof to guide the spool head 33 in a vertical direction along the guide posts 28 and 29.

The film, on leaving the breakage indicator switch mechanism 26, is led in a sinuous path around the various rollers 32 and 3 3 provided on the upper and lower spool heads 36 and 33, respectively. The film is thereafter led over a second breakage indicator switch mechanism generally indicated at 38, similar to that of 26, and around guide spools 46, 4| and 42. After the film leaves the spool 42 it is led through the film drying apparatus 0 in a manner described hereinafter.

While travelling around the various film guiding spools 32 and 34 of the spool heads 36 and 33, respectively, the film is maintained in a taut condition solely by the weight of the lower spool head 33.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 in particular, the film breakage indicator switch mechanism 26 comprises three film spools 43, 44 and 4.5, over which the film is successively guided from the last sprocket 26' of the film washing apparatus a to the first one of the spools 34 on the spool head 33 of the accumulator b. Spool 43 is rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft 46 secured within a bore formed in a mount 41. Mount 41 is provided with a second bore whereby it is mounted upon a horizontally extending circular post 48 which is supported by a bracket 50 from the upper beam or spool head 30. The mount 41 is adapted to be adjustably rotated and/or shifted lengthwise along the shaft 48, being removably secured thereto by a suitable set screw 5|. Shaft 46 is adapted to be adjustably shifted longitudinally through the mount 41 and is secured therein in any adjusted position by a setscrew 62. The provision of the above mentioned adjustable mount 4'! permits accurate alignment of the film'guiding spool 43 with the remaining two spools 44 and 45. Spool 45 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 53 supported in fixed hori zontal position from the beam 30 by a bracket 54. The switch operating spool 44 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 55 secured to the forward end of a switch arm 56. Ann 56 is rotatably journaled intermediate its ends upon shaft 53 of spool 45 and carries at its other end a switch box 51 having secured therein a mercury switch 58 of conventional construction. The weight of the switch box 51 and switch 58 tends to rotate the arm 56 in a clockwise direction, it being held in the position shown in Fig. 8 by the tension of .the film I while travelling over the spool 44. In this position of the arm 56 the mercury switch 58 is maintained in an open condition wherein the contact points 60 thereof are out of contact with the mercury within the switch. Whenever tension is released on the film due to breakage thereof, or for any other reason, the arm 56 swings in a clockwise direction to cause the mercury switch 58 to close a circuit connected thereto.

A cable 6| passes around upper and lower pulleys 62 and 63, respectively, (Figs. 1, 5 and 11) and is secured at each end thereof at 64 (Fig. 9) to a bracket 65 extending rearwardly from the lower spool head 33 of the accumulator b. Pulleys 62 and 63 are rotatably mounted in fixed positions in any suitable manner at the top and bottom, respectively, of the frame 21, thus permitting the cable 6| to travel with the spool head 33.

A normally de-energized electro-magnetic brake generally indicated at 66 (Figs. 11 and 12) is provided in the path of travel of the cable 6| to arrest the movement of the same whenever energized and thus also arrest the vertical movement of spool head 33. Brake 66 is supported by a cross piece 61 suitably secured at either end thereof to the vertical guide posts 28 and 29 of the accumulator frame 27, and comprises a bracket 68 secured to the cross piece 61 by a bolt I6. Bracket 68 has a semi-circular vertically extending groove 69 formed at the forward end thereof in which the cable 6| is guided. A U-shaped braking element 16 is provided adjacent the forward end of the bracket 68 and also has asemi-circular vertically extending groove 1| formed in one leg thereof in juxtaposition with groove 69 and through which the cable 6| is guided. Pairs of bolts 12 and 13 are threadably secured in the braking element 10 and are slidably mounted within apertures I4 and 15 formed in the bracket 68 whereby the braking element 10 may be guided into and out of frictional braking contact with the cable 6|. Compression springs 16 and TI surrounding the bolts I2 and 13, respectively, are interposed between the bracket 68 and element 10 to resiliently urge the element 10 away from braking contact with the cable 6| when the brake is in a de-energized position, the heads 12' and 13' of the bolts I2 and 13, respectively, serving to limit the outward movement of the braking element 16.

A clevis member 18 having a threaded shank 80 extending therefrom is adjustably secured to the leg 8| of member 10 by adjusting nuts 82, threadedon the shank 80 on opposite sides of leg 8|. A lever 83, forming on one side thereof an armature for an electro-magnet 84, is pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the clevis 18 by means of a pin 85. Lever 83 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends upon a bracket 86 by means of a pin 91. Bracket 86 is secured on the main bracket 68 by screws 86. Electro-magnet 84 is also suitably secured to the bracket 68 and when energized causes the armature lever 83 to rotate in a clockwise direction, thereby drawing the braking element 10 into frictional contact with the cable 6| to arrest the movement of the cable.

Referring particularly to Figs. 9 and 10, upper and lower limit switch devices generally indicatedat and 9|, respectively, are provided along the vertical guide post 29 of the film accumulator frame '21 to indicate at the control station at (Fig. l), in a manner described hereinafter, the movement of the lower spool head 33 of the film accumulator b above and below predetermined limits. The upper limit switch device 90 comprises an arm 92 pivotally mounted by means of a pin 93 on the side of the guide post 29 for movement about a horizontal axis. The forward end of arm 92 has a pair of projections 94 and integrally formed thereon at right angles to each other, one of which is adapted to extend beyond the forward edge of the guide post 29 as shown in Fig. 9. A switch box 96, containing a mercury switch 91 suitably secured therein, is provided on the rear end of the arm 92 and has connected thereto a flexible electrical cable 98 electrically connected in circuit with the contacts of the mercury switch 91. A tension spring 99 is secured at one end thereof to a pin I00 on arm 92 and at the other end to a pin IOI mounted on the guide post 29. Spring 99 serves as a snap-over spring to hold the arm 92 in either of the two positions illustrated by the full lines 92 and the dotted lines 92 of Fig. 9. Arm 92 is actuated by a projection I02 extending laterally from the spool head 33 and adapted to alternately engage the adjacent faces 01' projections 94 and 95. When the spool head 33 is moved upwardly past the arm 92 the projection I02 engages the horizontally extending projection 94 to swing the arm,92 clockwise into the dotted line position indicated at 92 thus closing the mercury switch 91 to actuate a suitable signal device described hereinafter. Arm 92 will remain in its new position, through the action of spring 99, until the spool head 33 is drawn downward therepast. As the projection I02 engages the projection 95 (now extending horizontally) the arm 92 will be moved counter-clockwise into its original position.

The lower limit switch device 9| is substantially similar to that of 90 and is also adapted to be actuated by the projection I02 of the spool head 33. Switch device 9| comprises an arm I03 pivotally mounted on the guide post 29 by a pin I04 and has a pair of projections I05 and I06 extending therefrom at right angles to each other, either of which is adapted to extend in the path of the projection I02 on spool head 33. A mercury switch I01 is carried by the arm I03 and assumes an open position when the arm I03 is held in the normal illustrated position, as when the spool head 33 is maintained above the projection I06. However, as the projection I02 engages this projection I06, due to a downward movement of the spool head 33 past switch 9|, the arm I03 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to close the mercury switch I 01 and is held there by a snap over spring I03 operating in a manner similar to that of spring 99. A flexible electrical cable I08 is electrically connected to the contacts of the mercury switch I01 to control a signal device at the control station d as described hereinafter.

The film drying apparatus 0 through which the film passes after leaving the guide spool 42, is discomprises a series of film drying compartments I09 to H4, inclusive. Drying air is passed successively from the last compartment II4 through the various compartments to the first compartment I09 by means of a blower II5 driven by an electric motor II6. Blower II5 draws air from an air conditioning unit, generally indicated at I I1 (having the usual heat and moisture control), through a conduit H6, and passes the same upwardly through a flue H9 and thence through the drying compartment II4. A semi-circular duct I20 conveys the air after passing through the compartment II4 downwardly into the next preceding compartment II3. Similar ducts I2I, I2I, I2I", etc., successively pass the drying air vertically through the various preceding compartments. The drying air on emerging from the first film drying compartment I09 passes downwardly through a fiue I22 and may be exhausted through an outlet conduit I23.

As shown in Fig. 2, illustrating in section the last drying compartment I I4 and part of the next preceding compartment II3, each of the drying compartments I09 to H4, inclusive, is bounded by four walls to form a narrow vertically elongated passage for drying air therethrough. An upper spool head I24 is suitably secured in a fixed position at the upper end of each drying compartment and has a plurality of horizontally spaced film guiding spools I25 rotatably mounted thereon. A lower spool head I26 also having film guiding spools I21 rotatably mounted thereon is provided at the bottom of each film drying compartment. The lower spool head I26 is movable in a vertical direction being supported entirely by the loops of film passing around the upper and lower sets of spools I25 and I21, respectively, in a sinuous manner. Spool head I26 is guided along vertical guides I28 and I29 by pairs of guide rollers I30 and I 3| rotatably mounted on cross heads I32 and I33, respectively, secured at either end of the spool head I26. The film f is led from one film compartment to the next through a slot I34 provided in the adjacent walls of adjacent compartments as at I35 and I35 of compartments H3 and I I4. A film driving sprocket I36 rotatably mounted in each compartment adjacent the slot I34 is provided to drive the film through its respective compartment. The various film driving sprockets I36 are driven by a single horizontally extending drive shaft I31 through suitable gear connections as indicated by the dotted lines I39 to drive the film in a continuous manner through the film drying apparatus c. Drive shaft I31 is operatively connected through a pair of bevel gears I40 to a vertically extending drive shaft I4I connected at the lower end thereof to an electric motor I42 suitably secured to the under surface of the floor I 9. Shaft- I4I extends through a control panel box I43 resting on the floor I9 and extending from the rear wall I19 of the drying compartment II4.

A limit switch generally indicated at II 401. is provided at the bottom of the compartment H4 and is adapted to be actuated by the lower spool head I26 when it drops below a predetermined level due to breakage of the film within compartment H4 or for any other reason. Switch II4a. comprises an arm I45, pivotally mounted at I 46 to the back wall of the compartment H4. The

free end I41 of the arm I45 lies in the path oi movement of the cross head I33 oi spool head I21 and is adapted on engagement therewith to be moved downwardly into the dotted line position shown. A tension spring E48 secured between the arm I45 and a point on the rear wall of compartment II4 urges the arm I45 into the upper full line position shown and maintains the arm I45 in that position whenever cross head I33 is out of engagement therewith. A link I49 is pivotally secured at one end thereof to the link I45 and at the other end thereof to the free end of a switch arm I50. Arm I50 is pivotally mounted on a switch box'IEi and is operatively connected to switch contacts therein.

As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5 the limit switch 411 (the contacts of which are enclosed in the switch box I5I of Fig. 2) is of the double throw type having two sets of contacts H52 and I53 either of which is adapted to be connected by a contact arm I54, actuated by the switch arm I50 to close respective circuits connected thereto. Similar limit switches generally indicated at I09a, IIIia, IIIa, H241 and H311 are provided, one for each of the compartments I09 to H3, respectively. In normal operation, that is, when the lower spool heads I26, etc., in the various compartments I09 to H4, inclusive, are out of engagement with the respective limit switches I09a to M1, inclusive, the contact arms I54 of these switches will be held in engagement with their respective contacts I53. The various contacts I53 areprovided in series in a relay control circuit I55. Also included in the circuit I55 is the actuating coil I56 oi a relay I51 and the secondary winding of a step-down transformer T1. the primary winding of which is connected across a current supply circuit I58. When the circuit I55 is closed, the relay actuating coil I56 acts to maintain the relay I51 closed. However, on opening of the circuit I55 by means of any one of the limit switches I09a to 4:1, the relay I51 will automatically open. The relay I51 is provided in series with a rheostat I60, a switch I6I, and the motor I42 for driving the film through the entire firm drying apparatus 0. Relay I51, rheostat I60, switch I6I and motor I42 are provided in circuit across the current supply circuit I58 to energize motor I42 when the relay I51 and switch I6I are closed.

The normally open contacts I52 of the switch II4a are provided in an alarm circuit comprising, in series, the contacts I52, 9. signal lamp 421, an electric alarm bell I63, and the secondary winding of a step down transformer T2, the primary winding of which is connected across the supply circuit I58. Similarly, the limit switches I09a, IIOa, Illa, II2a and I I3a are connected in circuit with respective signal lamps I091), H01), IIIb, H211 and 3b, the alarm bell- I63 and the secondary winding of transformer T2. These various signal lamps "3% to H41) inclusive, are arranged in a battery and provided in an annunciator panel box described hereinafter. Thus it will be seen that when the lower spool head in any of the compartments I08 to H4, inclusive, drops into engagement with the actuating arm of its respective limit switch, the respective signal lamp will be illuminated and the bell I63 will ring.

The air blower motor H6 is provided in series in a circuit including a rheostat I64 and a switch I65, which circuit is connected across the current supply circuit I58.

The motor 24 for driving the film I through the washing apparatus a is connected in a circuit comprising, in series, a rheostat I66 and a switch I61, which circuit is also connected across the current supply circuit I58.

The mercury switch I01 of the lower limit switch device 9| on the accumulator b is provided in a circuit comprising, in series, a signal lamp Qlb, bell I63, and the secondary winding of transformer T2 to give an indication when the lower spool head 33 of the accumulator b drops below the level of the limit switch 9|. The mercury switch 91 of the upper limit switch device 80 is similarly connected in series with a signal lamp 901), bell I63, and the secondary winding of the transformer Tz'to give an indication when the spool head 33 is elevated above the limit switch 90.

A film acctunulator (not shown) similar to that of b, may be provided in advance of the film washing apparatus a to store the film f emerging from the developing and treating tanks (not shown) when for any reason the film in the washing tanks a is stopped. In this event upper and lower limit switch devices, similar to those of 90 and 9|, may be provided and be connected in circuits similar to those including the switch devices 90 and SI. Signal lamps indicating the conditions of those circuits controlled by such limit switches may be provided in the battery of signal lamps at the control station d.

The normally open mercury switches 58 and I68 of the film breakage indicator switch devices 26 and 38, respectively, are connected in parallel with each other and in a circuit comprising, in series, the bell I63, the secondary winding of transformer T2, and the actuating coil I10 of a normally open relay I1I. A signal lamp (not shown) may also be provided in this circuit. On breakage of film 1 intermediate the drive sprocket 20' and the film guiding spool 42, either or both of the normally open mercury switches 58 and I68 will be rotated as hereinbefore described into a closed position to close the circuit connected thereto, thereby actuating the bell I63 and closing the relay Ill. The contacts of relay I1I are provided in series in a brake circuit I12, including the actuating coil 84 of the electro-magnetic brake 66. Circuit I12 is connected across the current supply circuit I58 to energize the brake 66 when the relay "I is closed thus arresting the downward movement of the spool head 33 when either or both of the switches 58 and I68 is closed.

As noted particularly in Fig. 3, the film treating apparatus is provided in duplicate, each apparatus being operable independently of the other and both being situated in back to back relation with each other. As shown, the film drying apparatus of the treating apparatus disclosed and the duplicate drying apparatus 0' are integrally connected together forming a single unit. The control station d serves both of the duplicate apparatuses and has duplicate sets of controls and indicators for this purpose.

Included in the control station d is an annunciator panel box I13 housing on one side thereof the various signal lamps 90b, 9Ib, I09b, 0b, IIIb, II2b, II3b and H412 (Fig. 4). These various lamps are mounted in sockets provided on the rear wall I14 of the annunciator box I13. Horizontal partitions intermediate adjacent lamps form a separate compartment for each lamp. An opal glass panel I16 is provided at the front of the annunciator box I13 and is adapted to be illuminated by the various lamps in the box. A series of identifying numerals I18 are provided along the panel I16. Each of the numerals I16 is opposite a lamp compartment to identify, when illuminated, the lamp illuminating the same and thereby indicate the compartment or part of the film treating apparatus wherein the film has broken or wherein an abnormal condition of the film treating apparatus exists. A vertically extending partition I11 (Fig. 3) is provided through the center of the annunciator box I13 to form duplicate light compartments on either side thereof. The duplicate compartments, similar to those shown in Fig. 4, are provided to illuminate numerals I18, similar to those of I18, serving to identify the lamps within such compartments with the respective switches controlling the same. Annunciator box I13 is situated at the top of film drying compartment H4 and duplicate compartment H4 intermediate the semi-circular ducts I20 and I20 for the compartments H4 and H4, respectively. The box I13 is thus within convenient view of an operator stationed at the control station d.

Also included in the control station at are the take-up reels 9 and 9' for receiving the film f and f from the duplicate film treating apparatuses. After the film f emerges through a notch I34 in the rear wall I19 of the drying apparatus 0 it is led over film guiding spools I and I8I rotatably supported on brackets I82 and I83, respectively, mounted on the wall I19 and is thence fed onto reel 9. Reel 9 is located at a convenient height and within reach of the operator stationed at control station d and is driven by the vertical drive shaft "I through a take-up reel drive generally indicated at I84 (Fig. 6).

Take-up drive I84 comprises a housing I85 secured at the base thereof to the wall I19 of compartment M4 by screws I86. A shaft I81, journalled in bearings I88 and I89 formed in the housing I85, has secured at one end thereof a bevel gear I90 meshing with a similar bevel gear I 9I secured on the vertical drive shaft I. A spur gear I92 also secured on the shaft I81 within the housing I85 meshes with an idler gear I93 journaled upon a stub shaft I94. Shaft I94 is securely mounted within the housing I 85. The take-up reel shaft I 95 is journalled within bearings I96 provided in a cover plate I91. Plate I91 is secured to the side of the housing I85 by bolts I91 to cover an enlarged aperture formed in housing I85. A clutch member I98 is securely mounted on shaft I95 and has a flange I99 thereon forming a clutch face. A spur gear 200 rotatably journalled on the clutch member I98 is adapted to be moved into frictional engagement, at one side thereof, with the clutch face on the flange I 99. A clutch disc member 20I is slidably keyed at 202 to the shaft I95 and has a flange 203 thereon forming a clutch face adapted to be frictionally engaged with the opposite side of gear 200. A compression spring 204 interposed between a nut 205 on the threaded end of shaft I95 and the disc member 20I is provided to resiliently urge the member 20I into frictional contact with the gear 200 and thus form a frictional non-positive drive for the take-up reel 9.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 tubular columns 206 and 201 enclose the vertical drive shaft I4I above and below the take-up drive housing I85. Column 201 is suitably secured at the lower end thereof to the top of the control box I43 and at the top thereof to the bottom of the housing I85, thus aiding in supporting the housing I85 as well as protecting shaft I4I. Column 206 also aids in supporting the housing I85, being secured at the top thereof to a housing 2I3 for gears I40 and at the bottom thereof to the top of housing I85.

Also included in the control station d is the control panel box I43. Box I43 has provided thereon a wet bulb thermometer 208 and a dry bulb thermometer 209 for the purpose of indicating the condition of the air passing through the film drying apparatus 0. Controls 2I0 and 2 adjacent the thermometers 208 and 209 respectively, are provided. These controls are remotely connected to the air conditioning unit H1 in a manner not shown to control the condition of the air as desired in view of the readings on the thermometers 208 and 209 or in view of the inspection of the film by the operator as it leaves the drying apparatus 0. Similar thermometers 208' and 209 and controls 2I0 and 2| I', respectively therefor are provided on the control box I43 for the film drying apparatus c.

Control handles I60, I64 and I66 (Fig. 3)-

for the rheostats I60, I64 and I66, respectively, (Fig. 5) are also provided at the top of the control box I43 whereby the speeds of the motors 24, H6 and I42, respectively, may be independently controlled by the operator while stationed at control station d. Suitable shaft connections (not shown) are provided between the control handles I60, I64 and I66, and their respective rheostats I60, I64 and I66. Sets of push but-v tons I6I', I65 and I61 (Fig. 3) operatively connected-to the switches I6I, I65 and I61 (Fig. 5), respectively, in a manner not shown, are provided directly below the control handles I60, I64, and I66, respectively, to permit the operator to manually stop or start any one of the motors 24, H6. and I42. Similar rheosat control handles and push buttons are provided for the motors of the duplicate apparatus including the drying apparatus c.

The operation of the apparatus disclosed is as follows. Assuming that the film has been properly threaded throughout the various developing and fixing machines (not shown) as well as the washing apparatus a, the accumulator b and the drying apparatus 0, the film as it is progressed forward in a continuous manner by the motors 24 and I42 is rolled up on the take-up reel 9 in the usual manner. The operator during this time is stationed at the control station d to watch the various instruments including the annunciator panel I 16 and the thermometers located on the control box I43 as well as the reels 9 and 9'. When the take-up reel 9 has reached its largest permissible diameter the operator opens the switch I6I by pressing one of the push buttons I6I to stop the motor I42 and consequently the film drive through the film drying compartment 0 while he substitutes an empty take-up reel for the take-up reel 9. During the interval in which take-up reels are being substituted, or at any other time when the motor I42 is stopped, the film f, emerging from the washing apparatus a is stored or accumulated on the accumulator b. The spool head 33 of accumulator b at this time lowers under the action of gravity to accommodate the greater length of film on the accumulator. In the event that the lower spool head 33 drops past the switch 9| the lamp 9") will be illuminated and the bell I63 will be rung to indicate to the operator that the spool head 33 is about to reach its lowermost position. Thereafter, if the operator is not yet in a position to 0. Whenever the film breaks in the accumulator reel the film on a take-up reel, he has recourse to either 01 two steps; first, he may stop the film drive through the washing apparatus a by stopping the motor 24 by means of the switch I61. controlled by the buttons it'll, thereby allowing the accumulator (not shown) in advance of the washing apparatus a to store the film thereon which emerges from the developing and fixing tanks (not shown); second, he may allow the film (j) to pile up on the floor or in a suitable basket adjacent the control station 11 until the same can be reeled onto a take-up reel 9.

In the event that the film f breaks in any one of the compartments 09 to H4, inclusive, the lower spool head in that compartment will actuate the respective one of the limit switches I 09a to Illa, inclusive, to open the relay circuit I55 (Fig. 5). When circuit 655 is opened the motor driving the film I through the drying apparatus 0 stops and simultaneously the respective signal lamp and the bell 063 indicates to the operator that the film is broken and also identifies the particular compartment wherein such filmbreakage has occurred.

Thus it will be seen that the operator will be immediately notified of the exact point of film breakage whereby such breakage may be normally mended in time to permit the film drive through the drying apparatus 0 to continue before the film accumulator b has reached its full capacity.

Whenever the motor 2 has been stopped for any length of time, the operator may increase the speed of the motor by manipulating the rheostat I60, thus increasing the speed of the film through the drying apparatus 0 relative to the speed thereof through the film washing apparatus a to reduce the amount of film in the accumulator b to normal operating capacity.

b the operator will be immediately notified thereof through the intermediary of the bell I63 actuated by either or both of the switch mechanisms 28 and 38 (Figs. '1 and 5). Simultaneously, the relay l1! will be closed to energize the electromagnetic brake 66, thus preventing the spool head 33 of accumulator b from dropping to the bottom of the guide frame 21 and also obviating the necessity of re-threading the film over the entire sets of rollers 32 and 34 such as would result if the spool head 33 were to drop after the film passing thereover breaks.

If on inspecting the film f as it leaves the drying apparatus a the film is found to be imperfectly dried, the operator may manipulate the controls 2"! and/or 2 (Fig. 3) to change the condition of the air, and/or he may manipulate the rheostat handle Hi l of rheostat H64 to change the speed of the blower motor M6, thus changing the speed of the drying air through the drying apparatus 0.

While I have described the invention in its preferred embodiment, I desire it to be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon the invention are intended than are imposed by the scope or the appended claims.

I claim: 7

1. Film apparatus comprising the combination of upper and lower sets or film spools adapted to guide an elongated film therearound, means rotatably supporting said upper set of spools in fixed position, a vertically movable spool head, means rotatably mounting said lower set of spools on said spool head whereby said lower set of spools and said spool head are supported by said film to maintain said film under tension. a normally inoperative electro-magnetic brake adapted to arrest the vertical movement of said spool head, an electric circuit for said brake, a movable element in engagement with said tensioned film, said element being adapted to move beyond a predetermined point when the tension in said film is released, and means operable in response to the movement of said element beyond said predetermined point for closing said circuit.

2. Film apparatus comprising upper and lower sets of film spools adapted to guide an elongated film therearound, means rotatably supporting said upper set of spools in fixed position, a vertically movable spool head, means rotatably mounting said lower set of spools on said spool head whereby said lower set of spools and said spool head are supported by said film, a normally de-energized brake, a cable movable through said brake and secured to said spool head, and means responsive to the breakage of said film for energizing said brake to clamp said cable and arrest the vertical movement of said spool head.

8. Film apparatus comprising upper and lower sets of film spools adapted to guide an elongated film therearound, means rotatably supporting said upper set of spools in fixed relation, a vertically movable member. means rotatably mounting said lower set of spools on said member whereby said lower set of spools and said member are supported by said film, a normally de-energized brake, a pair of upper and lower pulleys, means rotatably mounting said pulleys in fixed position, a cable passing around said pulleys and secured at either end thereof to said member, said cable passing through said brake, and means responsive to breakage of said. film for energizing said brake to clamp said cable and arrest the vertical movement of said member.

ALBERT W. TONDREAU. 

